Earth

 

Story:

Fueled by dazzling high-definition photography and stunning locations around the world, this nature program captures three animal families in action over the course of a year, revealing how the sun influences animal behavior and migratory patterns. Oscar nominee James Earl Jones provides a compelling narrative as polar bears march across the ice, elephants enjoy a swim and whales breach the surface of the ocean (NetFlix).

Review:

Animal films are our nation’s cat nip.  March of the Penguins is regarded as one of the highest selling documentaries of all time and the Discovery Channel has received countless praise for its series, Planet Earth.  So it’s no surprise that Disney attempted to reap further rewards from our nation’s love affair with animals (specifically baby animals).  And while this latest animal documentary has all the bells and whistles needed to keep an audience gripped, it sorta feels like a cliché is developing within the genre.    

Don’t get me wrong, I loved this movie, particularly their use of stop motion effects.  Hands down, this is one of the most expressive uses of stop motion in film.  Not only is plant growth captured, but entire seasons.  It’s breathtaking to watch and helps remind audiences that the plant life and nature aren’t merely backdrop for the playful animals.  For one of the first times that I can recall, you can really begin to get a sense of the living nature of, well, nature.  Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe these visual revelations and any viewer will find it practically impossible to gasp as they change before your eyes.    

Of course, the animals themselves aren’t too boring either.  Starting at the North Pole and working its way south, Earth hops in and out of the lives of various animals.  Some species, like African elephants, polar bears and whales, are followed for awhile, where others, like the Lynx and a few birds, are merely touched upon.  Ironically, the species followed least wound up being the best experience.  In particular, the Lynx, who directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield allow to remain this mysterious creature briefly passing by on the outskirts of this journey.    

But as I mentioned, Earth seems like a genre cliché waiting to happen.  At least half the animals covered are a direct shot for shot copy from the Discovery Channel series, Planet Earth.  And even these are cut down and loose some of the power they possessed in the series.  This documentary also can’t resist the call to point out Global Warming and our need to act.  It’s not that one should disagree with this message, but this should be an implicit, not explicit, point of the film.  Some how hearing this command cheapens the experience and diminishes the beauty of the animals and the visuals witnessed.    

It also doesn’t end.  Though never running too long, Fothergill and Linfield miss a golden opportunity to start at one point and end somewhere completely different.  Instead, they jump back to the North Pole to further dissect the plight of the polar bear.  Though it is a heartbreaking and fascinating story, it implies the other animals are irrelevant and ruins the planet wide journey to explore animals in their native habitat.    

Earth is certainly a very good documentary, but with these mistakes it certainly isn’t great.  Instead, it is more of a reminder of great works that came before it.  A sort of adaptation or recreation of a classic.  For families, kids and lovers of any nature series, this is definitely worth seeing, but it’s not worth praising.  Ultimately, it is a great reminder that life does not stop and start with humans alone.

Reviewed by Matthew Abshire for Documentary Film Online on May 02, 2009

In Conclusion: